The area, which is located at 1048Ferry Bridge Road in Goldsboro, provides access to the Neuse River and is a popular destination for anglers during the spring fishing season. Renovations included replacing the old boat ramp with a new 14-foot wide ramp, installing a floating dock and constructing a paved, handicapped-accessible parking space and accessible path.

Anglers launching their boats from the site can expect to catch shad and striped bass in the spring and sunfish, largemouth bass and crappie throughout the year.

“Because the Neuse River can be shallow at times, the Cox Ferry Boating Access area is a good site for launching small johnboats and other small watercraft,” said Erik Christofferson, chief of the Commission’s Division of Engineering Services.

PENROSE, N.C. (Oct. 30, 2013) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission opened its first boating access area on the French Broad River in Transylvania County today.

The Penrose Boating Access Area is located at 170 Apac Drive in Penrose, just south of Old Hendersonville Highway and east of Crab Creek Road. The Wildlife Commission constructed a single14-foot wide boat ramp, a floating dock, gravel parking lot and paved ADA-compliant parking spaces with 15 trailer spaces, including one that is handicapped accessible. The Commission also constructed at the site six single-vehicle spaces — one of which is handicapped accessible.

While the French Broad River is a well-known for excellent muskellunge fishing, it has good populations of smallmouth bass as well.

“The French Broad River is popular with both boaters and anglers, and we are excited to provide this increased access to this treasured resource,” said Erik Christofferson, chi

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 29, 2013) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is offering free, wildlife-related workshops in November and December at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center in Fayetteville. Most programs are free and open to the public. The schedule includes: Nov. 14 – Lure-Making Class from 6:30-9 p.m. The workshop covers the fundamentals of creating artificial worms, lizards, crayfish and other soft plastic baits. Participants will create multiple lures to take home. Nov. 15 – Project WILD Workshop from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. This workshop is for adults interested in teaching young people about wildlife. Participants receive the Project WILD K-12 educator guide along with materials specifically about North Carolina wildlife. The educator guide contains more than 150 hands-on activities that focus on wildlife and natural resources. Public school teachers may receive CEU credit, and the workshop qualifies for Componen

ROXBORO, N.C. (Oct. 17, 2013) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has completed work on the Hyco After Bay Boating Access Area, and it is now open to the public.

The boating access area is located on the Hyco After Bay, which is the reservoir below the Hyco Lake dam in Person County. Duke Energy, which owns the after bay and surrounding land, uses the reservoir to help meet water quality and temperature standards prior to release into the Hyco River.

The area has one launch ramp and a floating, universally accessible pier. It has nine trailered parking spaces and one universally accessible trailer space. Wildlife Commission staff also paved the parking lot and access road leading to the boating access area.

The new site is the first official boating access area constructed by the Commission on the after bay, although boaters have been accessing it for years via an old road bed.

“The Hyco After Bay has been a popular fishing and waterfowl hunting spot

The N.C.Wildlife Federation named Sgt. Chad Arnold with the Commission’s Special Investigations Unit as Wildlife Enforcement Officer of the Year, while the Commission was named Natural Resources Agency of the Year for its participation in “Operation Something Bruin” — a multi-agency infiltration into bear poaching circles that led to multiple arrests in North Carolina and Georgia. Arnold played a major role during the 4-year undercover operation.

The honors came earlier this year at the annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards banquet, held at Embassy Suites RTP, Cary. The ceremony recognizes those who have an unwavering commitment to conservation and an uncommon determination to safeguard the state’s natural resources. By

RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 11, 2013) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will open its State Fair exhibit in Raleigh on Oct. 17, with displays highlighting the many diverse outdoor opportunities it offers the public, from hunting and fishing to boating and wildlife watching.

The exhibit, located downhill from the Village of Yesteryear, is open to the public from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Oct.17 and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Oct. 18-27.

Visitors can check out a 12-foot wall map that displays all the places they can hunt, fish, trap, boat and watch wildlife in North Carolina. They can test their wildlife knowledge by identifying bird mounts scattered throughout the tent and by visiting the Sensory Safari, a 24-foot, hands-on exhibit of animal pelts, mounts and bones.

They can also test their fish identification skills at the mobile aquarium — twin 300-gallon fish tanks on wheels that showcase some of the popular game fishes found in North Carolina&rsqu

RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 7, 2013) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has a limited number of permits remaining for a special youth-only deer hunt on Dec. 14 near New Bern.

The cost is $5 per youth hunter and the deadline to purchase a permit is close of business, Nov. 22. Permits can be purchased at any Wildlife Service Agent location, online at www.ncwildlife.org or by calling 1-888-248-6834.

The hunt is for youth between 12 to 15 years old. All hunting will take place at the Weyerhaeuser-Cool Springs Environmental Education Center, located off U.S. 17 between Vanceboro and New Bern.

To be eligible, participating youth must have completed a hunter education course. During the hunt, the youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult. The adult is not allowed to hunt and does not need a permit. Both the youth and accompanying adult must attend a mandatory orientation session on Dec. 7.

“All participants are provided guidance and assistance every step of t

RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 7, 2013) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is reminding hunters in Beaufort County of a newly enacted local law that prohibits the discharge of firearms or archery equipment on or from public roads or right-of-way.

The new law became effective Oct. 1, making it unlawful to discharge a firearm or bow and arrow from, on, across or over the roadway or right-of-way of any public road in Beaufort County. It is also unlawful to attempt to discharge a firearm or bow and arrow from, on, across or over the roadway or right-of-way of any public road in the county.

The local law is enforceable by wildlife officers with the Wildlife Commission, as well as deputies and other law enforcement officers.

For more information, call Wildlife Officer Parks Moss at 252-558-6661 or Wildlife Officer William Cain at 252-558-6662.

The public can report wildlife violations in North Carolina anytime by calling 1-800-662-7137. Callers can remain anonymous.

RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 3, 2013) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission recently worked with other state and federal agencies for a crackdown on illegal wildlife trade through the Internet.

Titled “Operation Wild Web,” the ongoing investigation disrupted Internet-based trafficking of wildlife species in violation of state, federal and international laws. Cases involved the unlawful sale of protected species,businesses operating without licenses, and illegal fishing and hunting violations.

In total, among all participating states, the operation resulted in 62 arrests.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission joined together in the investigation.

Legitimate businesses that follow wildlife laws are safe for the public and conservation. However, Operation Wild Web uncovered man